Schlumberger

In 2012, the Town purchased 45 acres, located between Old Quarry Road and Sunset Lane, from Schlumberger for $7 million. Now, six years later, it seems timely to review what has happened on the site and consider what remains to be done. In 2012 the buildings on the site were deteriorating rapidly. There were several failed attempts by the Town … read more

“There’s no bandshell,” an exasperated First Selectman Rudy Marconi said. “There’s a simple little platform stage … I don’t know where this bandshell came from.” Marconi was trying to defang a “bandshell scenario” that had sharpened opposition — most evident among performing arts groups — to the town pursuing plans for an outdoor performance venue on the former Schlumberger property. … read more

Here’s a look at some of the headlines from this week’s Ridgefield Press: Ridgefield High School’s Class of 2018 graduates tomorrow and The Press has all the bases covered in print — and online. If you haven’t seen yet, the paper has posted this year’s award-winning graduates and the class’ top scholars. And of course, there’s the grad party at … read more

If some 2,000 people responded to surveys and listed a “cultural center” or outdoor stage as among the most favored options for the former Schlumberger property, some selectmen weren’t comfortable just letting the plan quietly disappear after opposition from town arts groups. “If we’re not doing this, I don’t want it on the Board of Selectman,” said Selectman Steve Zemo … read more

Work on the Schlumberger site has begun. The $680,000 projected cost will be covered without more money from the taxpayers, but it may be a sprint to finish the work in time for the June opening of a musical production in the theater building. “The site work has started,” First Selectman Rudy Marconi said Monday. “We have a meeting with … read more

Voters will be asked to support at least a portion of $680,000 needed for Schlumberger Phase I site work — roads, parking lots, outdoor lighting, and landscaping — at a town meeting. But approvals from the selectmen and finance board are required first, and a town meeting has not yet been set. With a $680,000 bid in hand last week, … read more

“We need to tighten up the ship,” First Selectman Rudy Marconi said. Looking ahead to 2018, an aggressive effort to hold down the budget and taxes seems the overriding priority for the town of Ridgefield, in light of federal tax changes that Marconi expects will increase the burden on many residents as the deductions for local taxes are limited to … read more

The Ridgefield Board of Selectmen voted against selling one acre of land off Sunset Lane to Charter Group Partners at its meeting Wednesday, Aug. 23. The proposed sale, which would have allowed Charter Group to develop six more townhouse units on the former Schlumberger property on Sunset Lane, was denied in by a 4-1 vote. “The town did what was … read more

M&T Bank has approved a $900,000 small business loan for BassamFellows to help fund the restoration of the Philip Johnson building at the former Schlumberger property. The loan will provide the final piece of funding needed to restore the building to its original detail, and prepare the space for BassamFellows’ office, showroom and studio. “We succeed by helping our customers … read more

Theater and office uses for two of the three remaining buildings on the town’s former Schlumberger property won the Planning and Zoning Commission’s unanimous approval Tuesday, July 18, after a public hearing that discussed a traffic consultant’s report recommending study of the eventual need for a traffic light at Grove Street and Old Quarry Road. The town’s plans would prepare … read more